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Powered by the QNX OS, Flying-Cams next-generation SARAH system takes motion picture technology to new heights

NUREMBERG, Embedded World (Hall 5, 5-369), February 25, 2014  QNX Software Systems Limited, a global leader in software platforms for connected embedded systems, and Flying-Cam, a state-of-the-art designer and manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems, today announced that the QNX® Neutrino® operating system is powering the Flying-Cam 3.0 SARAH unmanned aerial system, which has won a Scientific and Technical Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Scientific and Technical Awards honor men, women, and companies whose discoveries and innovations have contributed in significant and lasting ways to motion pictures.

Flying-Cams SARAH unmanned aerial system has been in service since 2012, with motion picture credits that include Skyfall, Oblivion, Prisoners, Smurfs II, and Mr. Go. The system includes a 25-kilogram fully electric platform, one-inch precision autopilot, and gyrostabilized camera head, as well as a ground-control station that provides a graphical user interface for mission programming and monitoring.

Flying-Cam chose the QNX operating system for its flexible architecture, which helped simplify development and porting of Flying-Cams computer assisted piloting (CAP) system, and for its real-time determinism, which enables the CAP software to achieve fast, predictable response times. The Flying-Cam development team also uses the QNX® Momentics® Tool Suite, including its advanced profiling tools, which help simplify the task of achieving optimal system performance.

We have been thoroughly impressed with the QNX OS, said Tony Postiau, head of aerial robotics engineering, Flying-Cam. It works extremely well on our hardware and uses system resources efficiently, leaving most of the hardware processing power available to our application  a crucial attribute that we looked for.

The QNX OS is deployed worldwide in automotive, industrial, medical, networking, and consumer appliance products. It is based on a modular microkernel architecture designed to enable high levels of reliability, availability, scalability, and performance.

For motion pictures, there is no greater honor than the Academy Awards, and we are thrilled that the Flying-Cam SARAH system, which features QNX technology, has received a 2014 Scientific and Technical Award in recognition of its significant contribution to the movie industry, said Derek Kuhn, vice president of sales and marketing, QNX Software Systems. The SARAH system is a testament to the sheer flexibility and reliability of our OS platform, which has proven itself in a vast array of embedded systems, from automotive infotainment products to the space shuttle.

About Flying-Cam

In a world where arts and sciences are competing, where robots challenge humans, Flying-Cam defines itself as designer of unmanned aerial systems with a soul inside.

Founded in 1988 by Emmanuel Previnaire, Flying-Cam was the first company in the world to provide professional close-range aerial filming services with unmanned aerial systems (UASs). Flying-Cam now has offices in Liege (Belgium), Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Beijing.

Since its founding, Flying-Cam has maintained its leadership and reputation in providing excellence in the highly demanding motion pictures industry. The Flying-Cam system has been used in more than 75 countries in over 1000 projects, including Harry Potter, Mission Impossible, James Bond, and Transformers, among many others.

Flying-Cams R&D division in Liege is where all the technologies integrated in the Flying-Cam 3.0 SARAH are developed, including a 25-kilogram fully electric platform, one-inch precision autopilot, and gyrostabilized camera head, as well as the ground control station, which provides the graphic user interface for mission programming and monitoring.

Flying-Cams mission is to expand its core competence in designing innovative, professional, and portable aerial solutions with a long-lasting contribution to all industries where UASs are of significant interest.

About QNX Software Systems

QNX Software Systems Limited, a subsidiary of BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ:BBRY; TSX:BB), is a leading vendor of operating systems, automotive software, development tools, and professional services for connected embedded systems. Global leaders such as Audi, Cisco, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, and Siemens depend on QNX technology for vehicle infotainment units, network routers, medical devices, industrial automation systems, security and defense systems, and other mission- or life-critical applications. Founded in 1980, QNX Software Systems is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada; its products are distributed in more than 100 countries worldwide. Visit www.qnx.com follow @QNX_News on Twitter, and visit www.facebook.com/QNXSoftwareSystems. For updates on the company's automotive work, follow @QNX_Auto and visit qnxauto.blogspot.com.

QNX Software Systems Limited (QSS) is a subsidiary of BlackBerry Limited. Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "intend", "believe", and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by QSS in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other factors that QSS believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause QSS's actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of BlackBerrys Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on QSSs forward-looking statements. BlackBerry and QSS have no intention and undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. QSS is not responsible for and assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement, or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third-party products or services.

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